Frozen Lakes, Snow-flocked Pines and Tufa Towers
With the first storms of 2016 El Nino winter, I was interested to see how much snowpack there was on the Eastern Sierra Nevadas since January of 2014. I
tried to schedule my photo-adventure between storms since my travels took me
over the Anchorite Pass and an elevation of 8379 feet. Leaving early on a sunny
but cold Friday, I was relieved that the road from Hawthorne, Nevada to Lee
Vinning, California was dry with only a few icy spots.
Towering above the town of Lee Vinning, the snow covered High Sierras stand out against the deep blue western sky with clouds forming from the warming sun.
Towering above the town of Lee Vinning, the snow covered High Sierras stand out against the deep blue western sky with clouds forming from the warming sun.
Standing tall on the horizon, Eagle Peak is the highest point on the Buckeye Ridge with an elevation of 11845 feet (3610 m), located just southwest of Bridgeport, California.
To the south and just before the quaint town of Lee Vinning, winter accents the shores of Mono Lake. The dark area on the background to the right is Paoha Island, a volcanic island formed by lakebed sediments deposited above volcanic domes.
Mono Lake's Tufa
Towers, unusual limestone formations that result from a chemical reaction when
calcium in underwater springs mixes with carbonates in the lake water. Some of
the Tufa Towers may grow to a height of 30 feet (9.144m).
Aspens still showing
leaves with fall colors line the beginning of Tioga Pass. This scenic drive
through the eastern entry point of Yosemite Park is closed during the snow
season due to the high elevation, "S" curves and sheer drop-offs.
Just ahead, Mt. Gibbs and the parent peak, Mt. Dana dominate the
afternoon sky with a majestic preview of the eastern part of Yosemite. Mt. Dana's active glacier, the Dana Glacier that flows near the
mountain's top at 13,053 feet (3978.55 m) is hardly visible with the snow cover
and afternoon shade.
Rugged terrain and steep chutes make for some of
the wildest ski descents in the Sierra.
As the afternoon approaches, I
make a last detour over to Lundy Lake. At 7858 feet (2395 m) elevation, Lundy
Lake is the gateway to the Hoover Wilderness Area in the High Sierras.
Today the popular fishing lake with 2.4 miles of shoreline and 100
surface acres lies covered with snow. The rainbow, brown, and brook trout will
be there for another trip
Driving back along the Lundy Lake road the
snow flocked pines create a picturesque view. What a memorable ending to a day
of winter photo-exploring. Follow my blog and check back often to see where my
next adventure begins.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!
Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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